MLB Player News

Strasburg allowed two runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings while striking out six during Tuesday's spring game against Houston.

Strasburg entered Tuesday's game with only one walk over his first two spring starts, but had some command issues versus the Astros. Overall the 30-year-old has looked great in spring training as he has 13 strikeouts over 10.2 innings and has allowed only two runs on seven hits.

Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday that Lyles (side) has the "inside track" for the team's fifth starter's spot, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Huntington made the statement prior to the right-hander's Tuesday start. Lyles, who has allowed six runs in 10 innings, felt some tightness due to cramping in his right side and decided not to return for his scheduled third inning. Lyles compiled a 4.11 ERA in 87.2 innings last year and could see plenty of opportunity with Pittsburgh, provided he can stay healthy.

Taillon made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on five hits (all doubles) and no walks in four innings. He struck out three batters.

The righty has thrown three simulated games at Pirate City, refining a changeup for a possible fifth pitch. Taillon threw his changeup with only 4.6 percent of his pitches in 2018. "If it's one more pitch I can put in someone's head, that's extremely important," he said. "Might get some quick outs with it and be able to go deeper into games." He'll make two more spring starts before pitching Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 28.

Wood (back) doesn't yet have a scheduled date for him to throw from a mound again, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's going to get there," manager David Bell said of Wood. "I know it's not fast enough for him. I think he's getting some relief from the pain he was in, so that's a good sign."

Given that this was the second time this spring that the back has acted up, there's a reasonable assumption that Wood won't be ready for Opening Day. Making matters worse, Wood's velocity was declining last year with the Dodgers, and now he'll ply his wares in a tougher ballpark.

Despaigne was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Despaigne had a 6.69 ERA in 39 major-league innings last season with the Marlins and Angels, so he was always going to have a tough time capitalizing on his non-roster invitation. He'll fill an organizational depth role for the Reds this season.

Lyles left Tuesday's game against the Twins due to cramping in his right side, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Lyles said the removal was precautionary, so it doesn't appear as though his status for Opening Day will be threatened. If the issue turns out to be worse than expected, Lyles would be forced to drop out of the competition with Steven Brault and Nick Kingham for the fifth starter role.

Lorenzen struck out two in a perfect fifth inning and struck out in his lone at-bat in Monday's 5-5 exhibition tie with the Indians.

The Reds had teased the idea of making Lorenzen a two-way player earlier in the spring and committed to it for the first time Monday. After pitching a spotless frame, Lorenzen checked into center field in the sixth inning and looked like a natural on the defensive end while fielding the two balls that came his way, though he did miss a cut-off man on a throw to third base. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, manager David Bell said after the game that he plans to get Lorenzen a few more reps in center during camp, but the 27-year-old remains likely to see the overwhelming share of his action in 2019 as a reliever and occasional pinch hitter.

The Braves optioned Allard to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Allard doesn't have much more to prove in the minors after posting a 2.72 ERA across 19 starts at Gwinnett in 2018, but the young southpaw might not get a look in the big leagues anytime soon with fellow pitching prospects Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson seemingly passing him up in the organizational pecking order. The 21-year-old's road back to Atlanta will become even more difficult once Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) and Mike Soroka (shoulder) are reinstated from the injured list.

Gomber is out of the running for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

Either John Gant or Dakota Hudson will win the fifth starter's spot, while Carlos Martinez (shoulder) could join the rotation in May or June. Considering Gomber has minor-league options remaining, this likely means he is ticketed for the Triple-A rotation to start the season.

Martinez (shoulder) could join the big-league rotation in May or June, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

This is fairly vague, but at least we know we can rule Martinez out for all of April. He is reportedly close to resuming a throwing program, and Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports the right-hander recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection to alleviate inflammation. In the meantime, John Gant and Dakota Hudson are the finalists for the fifth spot in the rotation.